State Representative Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) released the following statement on Secretary of State Jon Husted’s directive cutting in-person early voting hours and eliminating evening and Sunday voting for all 88 Ohio counties:

“Closing the polls stands in direct violation of state law, which dictates that the polls must remain open during the last three days of early voting. The legislature has not succeeded in any of its many attempts to cut off the end of early voting -- it ends on Monday before the election. End of story.

“These changes are confusing to voters who rely on in-person early voting, especially during the busiest last three days. This directive makes it harder to vote and disregards the fact that Ohioans do not want their early voting period to be shortened, as evidenced by the nearly 400,000 voters who signed petitions stopping HB 194 during the last General Assembly.”

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today introduced House Bill 637, the Ohio Future Voter Act, which would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote. Under the bill, pre-registered Ohioans would automatically be added to the state voter rolls before the next primary or general election in which they are eligible to vote.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today announced her new plan to close secret money loopholes, increase transparency and strengthen the ban on foreign money in Ohio elections with new legislation, the Ohio Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act, or DISCLOSE ACT.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today announced the release of over $1.23 million in state funds for various area projects, including improvements at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Kent State University (KSU) and Camp Ravenna.